March 5, 2011

President Goodluck Jonathan said in Akure on Wednesday that the bitumen deposit in Ondo State would be exploited for economic development and employment generation.

The president gave the assurance at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Akure.

Jonathan said his administration would take the economy very seriously to end youth unemployment.

He noted that youths below the age of 30 constituted more than 70 per cent of the Nigerian population, adding that the government would ensure job creation for them through various sectors of the economy.

Specifically, the president said the government would create jobs by providing funds for small and medium scale enterprises, mechanised farming and agro-based industries.

“Investment in the PDP is not wasteful as we will run a government that will not let the people down.

“Roads and other basic infrastructure across the states will be developed in four years,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, Vice President Namadi Sambo said their joint candidature was committed to transforming Nigeria.

Sambo noted that none of the presidential candidates for the April polls has experience like Jonathan.

A former governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Agagu, said the Federal Government had invested more than 40 billion dollars on various projects in the state in the last nine years.

He called on the people of the state to vote for Jonathan and Sambo in the April elections for sustainability.

Earlier at the Palace of the Deji of Akure, Oba Adegboyega Adeshida, Jonathan assured the people that if elected, he would run an open administration devoid of discrimination.

He said that citing of federal projects would be based on the available economic resources of any area.

The president added that there would be a meeting of stakeholders at the state and zonal levels on projects development nationwide.

Adeshida, in his welcome address, congratulated Jonathan on his election as the PDP flag bearer and assured him of his support.